Liquid-distributing apparatus



Aug. 31 .1926.

c. D. BLACKBURN LIQUI D DI STRIBUTING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 18. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 31,1926; 159x715 C. D. BLACKBURN LIQUID DISTRIBUTING APPARATUS Filed Fe 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor CM D. M M

Patented Aug. 31, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFF-ICE.

CARROLL I). BLACKBURN, OF MOUNT LEBANON BOROTIGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE KOPIERS COMPANY, OF PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION 01' PENNSYLVANIA. c

LIQUID-DISTRIBUTING- APPARATUS.

Application filed February 18, 1925. Serial No. 9,932.

This invention relates to liquid distribut- .ing apparatus, and is particularly applica le to distributing apparatus used in such equipment as absorption towers and the like, as used, for example, in a process of as purification, as described in United tates Patent No. 1,478,543, to E. H. Bird.

I provide a liquid distributing apparatus having a nozzle, adapted to discharge liquid, a spatter plate in the line of discharge and a single. stirrup adapted to hold the spatter plate in spaced relation with the nozzle. This stirrup is preferably adjustable so that the spatter plate may be moved toward or away from the nozzle, as desired, and the spatter plate is preferably in the form of a disk having a spherical surface with an uninterrupted periphery. In apparatus of this character as heretofore constructed there has been provided either a large number of supporting arms for the disk or the surface or periphery thereof has been interrupted in such manner as to break up the liquid and cause non-uniform distribution. With my apparatus there is secured a practically uninterrupted and uniform discharge of'liquid off the spatter plate.

The apparatus is particularly useful in connection with an absorption tower or any other apparatus wherein it is desired to supply liquid on one side of a division wall,

. such as the wall of anabsorption tower or chamber, and to discharge the liquid on. the other side of the division wall, for exampl within the chamber. In the handling o f liquid which carries solid particles in suspension, considerable difiicTflty 'is often experienced in the nozzle clogging up, and I therefore provide a nozzle which may be maintained in fixed position as long as it is desired but which may be readily cleaned out or withdrawn for inspection replacement or further cleaning, as dei sired. To this end I provide a nozzle surrounded by a sleeve extending from the division wall and secure the stirrup and spatter plate to this sleeve. The nozzle may be withdrawn from the sleeve as desired. This nozzle is also referablyprovided with an axial opening aving a closure which may be removed to permit the insertion of a rod or other cleaning tool to remove any matter remaining in the nozzle. The liquid is preferably provided through a non-axial throu h the tower packing. I therefore provide a suitable number of deflectors adjacent the chamber walls, which intercept the liquid'as it is sprayed from the one or more spatter plates and causes the same to drop through the tower without coming into contact with the 'walls. 'This provision greatly increases the efliciency of the appa ratus'. V

In the accompanying drawings, illustrating the preferred embodimentv of my invention:

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly broken away, of an apparatus embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is a section on the lineII-II of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side elevation, partly broken away, of an absorption tower showlng my invention as applied thereto; and

Figure 4 is a section on the line IV-IV of Figure 3.

In the illustrated embodiment of my mvention there is shown a treating tower 1 provided with a plurality of fluid nozzles indicated generally by the reference numeral 2 adapted to discharge liquid supplied from a conduit 3 onto a spatter plate 4... The nozzle 2 comprises a pipe 3' havm an orifice piece 4' threaded to one en thereof, the other en'd'of the pipe 3 termnating in a bushing 5. This bushin is provided with. outside threads 6 unic screw into a flange 7 secured to a suitable support such as a division wall 8 which may be one wall of a chamber or absorption tower, or the like.-

Threaded intothe flange 7 is a sleeve 9 surrounding the nozzle and terminating ad jacent the orifice 4'. This sleeve is provided with arms 10 having openings therethrough for carrying a stirrup 11 which supports the spatter plate 4. The stirrup is preferably of the form shown and provided with threaded ends 12 which fit through the openings in the arms 10 and which are provided with nuts 13 so that the stirrup may be adjusted toward and away from the orifice piece 4; of the nozzle.

-The stirrup 11 is provided with a flattened portion 14: to which the spatter plate 4 is secured by bolts 15. The spatter plate preferably has a face of spherical form against which the liquid strikes and is sprayed out in a cone. It will be seen that the surface of the spatter plate is uninterrupted and that there are no arms or other obstructions to prevent the liquid from being distributed in a smooth cone. In appa-,

ratus of this character heretofore employed the surface of the spatter plate has been broken or there have been a multiplicity of supporting arms which seriously interfered the nuts 13.

Threaded into the upper end of the bushing 5 is a nipple 17 which is connected to a pipe 18 through a union connection 19. The pipe 18 is of any suitable length and terminates in a conventional cross fitting 20. A plug 21 is provided in the opening of the cross fitting which is coaxial with the pipe 18 and at one of the side outlets of the cross fitting there is provided a pipe 22 terminating in a flange connection 23. Between this flange connection and the conduit 3 a valve 24 is provided for regulating the amount of liquid supplied from the source 3. It will be noted that when the bolts 25 which fasten the flange 23 to. the valve body are loosened and when the bushing 5 is unscrewed from the flange 7 the entire nozzle may be withdrawn from the sleeve ,9 for cleaning, since the connection between the nozzle and the valve does not interfere with the axial withdrawal of the nozzle as a whole It will also be noted that if the plug 21 is removed, a suitable cleaning tool may be inserted through the opening thus provided andthe nozzle cleaned out. This is of particular value if the liquid being handled carries solid particles in suspension. The plug 21 may be removed and the nozzle cleaned out without withdrawing the nozzle from the apparatus, as will be apparent, but even if it becomes necessary to remove the nozzle, it can be more readily cleaned out than would be the case if no such opening were provided. A plug 26 is provided opposite the pipe 22 so that this pipe may also be readily cleaned out.

It will be noted that the orifice piece t is provided with a flange 27 which fits fairly closely inside the sleeve 9 and centers the nozzle therein. It is notdesirable, however, that any packing be used at this point since the bushing 6 may be depended on to completely seal off the opening around the nozzle and with the arrangement shown withdrawal of the entire nozzle may be readily accomplished, even through the entire apparatusbecomes heavily coated or clogged with solid matter.

When the nozzle is withdrawn and replaced, it is not only desirable that the nozzle be positioned with respect to the axis of the supporting member, but also that it be properly spaced from the spatter plate. The flange 27 is effective for positioning the nozzle with respect to the axis of the supported members within the desired limits. As above stated, the flange 27 fits fairly closely inside the sleeve 9, but it is not desirable that it actually bear against or make a tight fit with the sleeve 9. This is because the sleeve is made of piping. or the like, and is subject to the usual commercial variations, and also because the parts are likely to become-coatedwith solid matter. The flange 23 is effective for positioning the nozzle properly with respect to the spatter plate 4, and once the stirrup 11 has been properly adjusted to get the spatter plate spaced the correct distance from the nozzle, the entire nozzle structure may be disassembled fr m the supply conduit by removing the bdlts 25 and the bushing 5. The parts may be removed and replaced as often as desired Without any fear of maladjustment between the nozzle'and the spatter plate. The several parts therefore combine to accurately position the nozzle with respect to the spatter plate 4, which of course is always maintained in a definite position withrespect to such opening. The flange '7 seals off the. annular opening in the tower wall 8 surrounding the sleeve 1), while the bushing 5 seals oil the annularopening between the conduit 3 and the sleeve 9. The two members combine to completely seal off the interior of the tower from outside conditions while permitting passage of liquid to the nozzle 4.

In Figures 3 and 4 I have shown the invention as applied to a cylindrical absorption tower. In this case a plurality of nozzle structures are employed and'these are preferably arranged symmetrically. It has been found that in towers of this sort there is a tendency for any liquid which strikes the chamber wall to run down the wall in- .55 zle and the spatter plate,

stead of traveling through the tower packing, thus materially reducing the etficlency of the absorption tower. I therefore provide deflectors, preferably adjacent the chamber walls, which intercept the liquid sprayed toward the chamber walls and cause this liquid to fall through the packing of the chamber instead of running down the wall. These deflectors preferably take the form of stepped rings 28 which are carried in any convenient manner, as by blocks 29. When the liquid is sprayed off thespatter plates 4, a portion of it travels toward the chamber walls and would strike the walls were it not for these deflectorswhich intercept the liquid and cause it to fall down through the bed of the tower instead of running down t e walls thereof. Thus an evenly divided spray is insured and the efficiency of the tower is materially increased.

I thus provide .a liquid distributing apparatus which is particularly useful for suplying liquid through a division wall, as or example, the wall of a chamber or tower, and distributing such. liquid over the area of the tower or chamber. For example, where a plurality of nozzles are used they vmay be so spaced as to provide substantially uniform distribution for certain portions of 80 the tower and the deflectors may be rovided for interrupting. the travel of liqui toward .-the chamber wall, and thus increasing the efliciency of the tower, besides materially aiding 1n distribution of liquid over the 86 area thereof. a

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that it is not limited to the form shown but may be otherwise embodied with- 40 in the scope of the following claims.

I claim 1. Apparatus for distributing liquid over a treating tower, the tower having a wall with an opening therein, including a spatter plate within the tower and supported in substantially fixed relation to the opening, a

liquid conduit, a removable nozzle for the conduit adapted to direct the liquid toward the spatter plate, said nozzle being supported independent of the spatter plate, and means for accurately positioning the nozzle with respect to the opening, whereby the nozzle may be removed and replaced without disturbing the relation of the nozsubstantially as described.

2. Apparatus for distributing liquid over a treating tower, the tower having a wall with an opening therein, including a spatter 60 plate within the tower and supported in substantially fixed relation to the opening, means for adjusting the position of the spatter plate, a liquid conduit adapted to supply liquid to the tower from the openoajing, a removable nozzle for the conduit turbing the relation of the nozzle and the spatter plate, substantially as described.

3. Apparatus for distributing liquid over a treating tower, the tower having a wall 7 with an opening therein, including a sleeve extending from the opening to within the tower, a spatter plate carried by the sleeve, a removable liquid conduit extending into the sleeve and terminating in an opening adapted to discharge liquid-against the spatter plate, and means for accurately positioning the conduit within the sleeve, ,wh'ereoy sald conduit may be removed and replaced without disturbing the relation of the liquid discharge opening and the spatter plate, substantially as described.

4:. Apparatus for distributing liquid over a treating tower, the tower having a wall with an opening therein, including a sleeve extending from the opening to within the tower, a spatter plate carriedby the sleeve, a removable liquid conduit extending into the sleeve and terminating in an opening adaptedto dischar e liquid against the 95 spatter plate, means or accurately positioning the conduit within thesleeve, whereby said conduit may be removed and replaced without disturbing the relation of the liquid discharge opening in the spatter plate, and means for sealin the space between the con duit and the eeve, substantially as described.

'5. Apparatus for distributing liquid over a treating tower, the tower having a wall with an opening therein, including a spatter plate within the tower and supported in substantially fixed relation to the opening, a removable liquid conduit, the conduit terminating in a discharge opening adapted for the discharge of liquid against the spatter plate, and means for accurately positioning the conduit, whereby the same may be removed and replaced without disturbing the relation of the discharge opening and the spatter plate, substantially as described. 6. Apparatus for distributing liquid over a treating tower, the tower having a wall with an opening therein, including a spatter plate within the tower and supported in substantially fixed relation to the opening, a removable liquid conduit, the conduit terminating in a discharge ,opening' adapted for the discharge of liquid against the spatter plate, means for accurately positioning the conduit, whereby the same may be removed and replaced without disturbing the 1elation to the discharge opening and the spatter plate, and means for sealing off the opening so as to permit only 130 the passage therethrough of liquid supplied curately positioning the conduit with respect to the opening, whereby the same may be removed and replaced without disturbing the relation of the discharge opening and the spatter plate, substantially as described.

8. Apparatus for distributing liquid over a treating tower, the tower having a wall.

with an opening therein, including a spatter plate within the tower. and supported from the tower wall in substantially fixed relation to the opening, a removable liquid conduit extending through the opening and terminating in a discharge opening adapted for directing liquid against the spatter plate, means for sealing the space around the con- 'duit so as to close off the-first mentioned opemng,-and means for accurately positioning the conduit with respect to the spatter plate, substantially as described.

9. Apparatus for distributing liquid over a treatingtower over the area of which the liquid is to be distributed and allowed to fall, the tower having a side wall, in cluding a nozzle adapted to discharge liquid, a spatter plate in the line of discharge adapted to spread the discharge liquid over the chamber, and a deflector lying adjacent the side wall of the tower and in the line of travel of liquid leaving the spatter plate for deflecting a portion ofthe liquid. only, the deflector being adapted to permit the liquid is to be distributed and allowed to fall, the tower having a side wall, including a nozzle adapted to discharge liquid, a spatter plate in the line of discharge adapted tospread the discharged liquid over the tower, and a deflector lying adjacent the side wall of the tower and in'the line of travel of liquid leaving the spatter plate for deflecting only a portion of the liquid. the deflector being adapted to permit free travel of the liquid downwardly after it has struck thedeflector, substantially as described.

11. Apparatus for distributing liquid within a tower, over the area of which the liquid is to be distributed and allowed to fall, the tower having a side wall, including a nozzle adapted to discharge liquid into the tower, a spatter plate in the line of discharge, and a plurality of stepped deflectors adjacent the side wall of the tower for intercepting liquid leaving the spatter plate and traveling toward such side wall, each of said deflectors permitting liquid to fall therefrom out of the way of the remaining deflectors, whereby the deflectors pre vent channeling of the liquid along the chamber wall and aid in the distribution thereof, substantially as described.

12. Apparatus for distributing liquid within a tower,.over the area of which the liquid is to be distributed and allowed to fall, the tower having a wall, including spray means adapted to spray liquid over the tower. and a deflector adjacent the wall for intercepting liquid tnivelingtoward such wall, the deflector permitting liquid intercepted thereby to fall freely from the deflector at a point spaced away from the wall, substantially as described.

13. Apparatus for distributing liquid, including a tower over the area of which the liquid is to be distributed and allowed to fall, the tower having a side wall, spray means adapted to spray liquid into the tower, and a plurality of stepped deflectors adj accnt the wall for intercepting liquid leaving the spray means and traveling toward such wall, each of, said deflectors permit-ting liquid to fall therefrom uninterrupted by the other deflectors and at points spaced from the chamber wall, substantially as described.

14. Apparatus for distributing liquid, including a tower over the area of which the liquid is to be distributed and allowed to fall, the tower having a side wall, including spray means adapted to spray liquid into the tower, and a plurality of stepped deflectors running parallel to the tower wall and to one another for intercepting liquid traveling toward the tower wall, said deflectors permitting intercepted liquid to fall therefrom uninterrupted by the other deflectors and at points spaced from the tower wall, substantially as described.

15. Apparatus for distributing liquid, in

eluding a tower over the area of which the eluding a tower over the area of which the liquid is to be distributed and allowed to fall, the tower having a side wall,a nozzle adapted to discharge liquid into the chamher, a spatter plate in the line of discharge,

the spatter plate'being in substantially fixedv relation to the nozzle, a deflector adjacent the Wall adapted to deflect liquid leaving the spatter plate and travelingtoward the chamber Wall, such deflector being in substantially fixed relation to the spatter plate,

and means for accurately positioning the nozzle with respect to the spatter plate, the 10 nozzle being adapted for withdrawal from the tower, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

CARROLL 1). BLACKBURN. 

